WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Announces Retirement

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will retire at the end of the year. Engelbert, who served as the league’s first-ever commissioner, has led the WNBA for seven years. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced her retirement, highlighting her significant contributions during the league’s growth period.

“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history,” Silver stated. “We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball.”

Engelbert’s decision to retire comes after a year marked by controversy in the WNBA. Issues such as Sophie Cunningham’s comments on trans athletes in women’s sports and the treatment of Caitlin Clark have dominated discussions throughout the season.

Reflecting on her career, Engelbert stated:

“After more than seven years at the WNBA and more than 40 total years in business, I have made the decision to retire as WNBA Commissioner,” Engelbert remarked. “In 2019, I had the privilege of being appointed the league’s first commissioner and to lead a league with enormous potential yet untapped awareness and significant undervaluation. Over the years, it has been amazing to watch WNBA players thrive and lead the massive cultural surge around women’s sports.”

During her tenure, Engelbert expanded the league from 12 to 18 teams and managed crucial aspects like media rights and the collective bargaining agreement. Though she faced criticism for insufficient marketing of the league’s superstars, including Clark, the WNBA experienced substantial growth under her leadership.

According to the WNBA, Engelbert facilitated increases in viewership, digital engagement, game attendance, League Pass subscribers, merchandise sales, corporate partnership revenues, and franchise valuations.

Significant changes to the WNBA schedule occurred under Engelbert. She introduced the in-season Commissioner’s Cup tournament in 2021. The regular season expanded to 44 games in 2025, with plans for a record-high 50 games by 2027.

The 61-year-old Engelbert expressed gratitude and optimism about the WNBA’s future:

“I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined. I am grateful to the WNBA and NBA team owners and staff, players, investors, fans and the powerhouse league office staff, who believed in what this league could become. I retire with immense gratitude and tremendous optimism for the future of the WNBA, with the best yet to come,” Engelbert commented.

The successor to Engelbert has not been announced yet.